GOLF Roundup: PGA developmental tour changes name, late fall pla

GOLF Roundup: PGA developmental tour changes name, late fall play to mean more

The PGA announced Wednesday that its developmental tour circuit will be known as the Web.com Tour, replacing anchor sponsor Nationwide effective immediately.

The PGA finally landed a replacement for the insurance company, ending a 20-month search for a new corporate sponsor. The first event under the Web.com sponsorship begins Thursday at Victoria National Golf Club in southern Indiana, but the company plans a more elaborate agreement that will cover the PGA and Champions Tour.

Web.com, a Jacksonville-based internet business and online marketing company with annual revenues of more than $500 million, will partner with the PGA Tour through the 2021 season.

--The PGA events that follow the Tour Championship in September will have more meaning beginning in 2013.

The FedEx Cup has ended in September for the past five years, leaving the events held after that to count toward determining the final 125 on the money list.

The post-Tour Championship fall series events will help determine qualifying for PGA Tour cards, using the money list to establish a three-tournament series involving players who finish outside the top 125 on the annual money list.